Giessel-Newsletter

Dear friends and neighbors, We have such great news reporters in the Capitol! There has been very accurate reporting done all session. Articles cited in this newsletter summarize actions on last day of 23rd Legislature.

Dear friends and neighbors, The Senate completed its work and adjourned last night (May 20) at about 8:30 PM. The House adjourned at about 9:45 PM. The 34th Alaska Legislature is adjourned sine die.

Dear friends and neighbors, I’m going to start out a bit negative. Yesterday, May 18, was a day that defies description. Governor told the Legislature: His version of a gas pipeline defies our Constitution – ignoring resource development for benefit of Alaskans (benefit for a private company), surrenders our taxing authority (removes local taxation authority,

Dear friends and neighbors, Supporting A Gasline for Alaskans (SAGA) The SB 280, Governor’s “most important bill this session”, is in its 32th hearing in Senate Resources Committee since March 20. To see those meetings, scroll down to the Senate Resources meetings section.

Dear friends and neighbors, Extemely busy here in the Capitol. Budget is primary. Floor sessions are passing a lot of bills. We are now in the “24 Hour Rule”, meaning schedules will change with only 24 hour notice.

Dear friends and neighbors, I send these every couple days in the last few days of a session, so you can keep up on some of the things we are doing.

Dear friends and neighbors, , especially those in Stuckagain Heights neighborhood. I’ve just been made aware of a proposal from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson that could significantly impact East Anchorage neighborhoods, particularly the Muldoon area and Stuckagain Heights neighborhood, as well as all recreational users of those East Anchorage areas.

Dear friends and neighbors, Senate Bill 64 – Voice of Alaskans in Elections The Senate and House members are very disappointed that this bill – bipartisan, over 10 years of work – went down to defeat. See section below with details.

Dear friends and neighbors, House agrees with Senate changes in HB 78. There’s a section on this topic in a section below.

Dear friends and neighbors, April 24, 1956, ratification of the constitution drafted by 55 delegates at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks (the only UA campus at the time) between November 1955 and February 1956.